My "abundance"...

Today we went out and braved the blizzard.

We had so many errands to run...Meijer, Walgreens, WalMart, Old Navy, Target...I got groceries, household supplies, and also made progress on my Christmas shopping.

I got some amazing deals and saved so much today.

And after spending over 3-4 hours out in these sub-zero temperatures...I came inside after unloading the trunk of the car...and as I took all my groceries and supplies and Christmas gifts out of the bags...

I thought...

LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF.

I am so blessed.

I was slowly warming up...

And thought...

It feels so good to be inside my warm cozy house.

And I looked at all the food and supplies on the counter...

And I thought...

My gosh...

We are so blessed.

We have so much to be thankful for.

I think it really hit me because of this frigid weather.

There are people out there who are homeless trying to stay warm tonight.

I have this wonderful warm home.

They have no food.

I have cabinets, closets, cupboards, and freezers FULL!!!

I looked at some of the gifts I bought today and felt blessed that I can be generous to people.

My Christmas gifts aren't fancy, they're not expensive...

But they are from my heart.

I try to be unique and creative.

But I still am blessed enough to be able to give during the holidays.

Even though my husband lost his job in January and my business has declined this year...

We have managed to get by...and then some.

We live on a budget...a very tight one at that.

But our needs are met...and God always provides.

We are able to pay our bills and provide for our family.

One thing that I consider a true and very real blessing...is everything I have learned from my couponing and money-saving friends and blogs.

These have been amazing gifts to me this year.

I jumped in head-first to all these couponing/money-saving blogs in February right after Jamie lost his job.

And now...

We have probably ten times the food, supplies, etc. that we ever did stockpiled for probably 50-70% less that I ever paid before!

What a blessing!

It has not only been a blessing to our family...but I have been able to share my stockpile with others.

We've been able to bless other people in need, animals at the humane society in need, our boys' school, and more!

I am so grateful to God for blessing our family...so that not only we are provided for...but so that we can bless others as well.

We are blessed to be a blessing!

Blizzard + Snow day = Cookie baking w/ the boys!

Well...two days in a row...snow days for the boys. You know it must be bad because Zeeland NEVER cancels school. We have been under this blizzard warning since last night and I just heard they are extending it from 4pm today until 6am tomorrow. Eeek! And...I GOT THE DAY OFF TOO! Everyone called in today! Woohoo! In seven years, this have NEVER happened! I am so enjoying my day off. I decided to do something fun with the boys...making sugar cookies.

They had a blast cutting out their cookies. Anymore, I do less and less for them. They did really well rolling out and cutting their own cookies.

They still need a little help getting them onto the baking sheet...as they tend to stick and break without mom's help flouring and scraping techniques.

They decided to use colored sugar on some...and frost the others.

Some of our masterpieces!

I promised them they could lick the frosting spoons after we were done. We had a fun time.

We're thinking we may go out and get some errands done now...call us crazy...but we don't have milk for our cookies! Here's to safe travels!

Chicken Squares

Well, here it is!
Several friends were asking for this recipe as well.
And it is yet another, that Jamie and I found in the newspaper!
We LOVE recipes in the newspaper! LOL!
We're always trying new ones out!
Jamie is really good at scouting out new ones for us to try...and well let's face it...since he cooks as much or more than I do...I say, "Go for it honey!".
And so...here it is...

Chicken Squares

4 c. cooked chicken breast
2 tblsp. margarine, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. tsp. pepper
3 tblsp. milk
2 tblsp. onion, diced
1 c. shredded cheddar
2 packages crescent rolls
2 tblsp. margarine, melted
3/4 c. crushed cheddar croutons

Heat oven to 350.
Slice chicken into 1/2 inch cubes. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, mix margarine and cream cheese. With a spatula, stir in cheddar cheese, garlic salt, pepper, milk, and onions. Add chicken and mix together.

Take two semi-perforated crescent roll sections and pat seam together (should make a square). Place 1/2 c. of chicken mixture into center. Pull up all four corners of dough and pinch together to seal. Brush w/ melted margarine and sprinkle with crushed croutons.

Bake for 25 minutes and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

We're busy...

"I've been so busy..."

I hear this all year...but I think I hear it more than ever during the holidays.

Seems like every time we see someone and stop to chat, it's...

Us: "Hi, how have you been?"

Them: "Oh we've been so busy!"

Ok...

I know...in this day and age being busy is practically unavoidable...to "some" degree.

But...

Let's face it...

We all have SOME control over the AMOUNT of how busy we are in our life.

I don't think ANY of us HAVE to be as busy as we claim that we are.

Am I busy?

Yup!

I'm a wife.

A mom.

A business owner who works 55 hours a week.

Church every Sunday.

Bible Study on Wednesdays.

Make sure the boys' homework is done.

Have they showered?

Does Nate's backpack have his planner (is it signed?), his folder, his homework, his gym shoes, his snowpants, his snack, and any other extras that day brings?

Does Evan's backpack have his notebooks, books, band folder, trumpet, gym clothes, Cross Country uniform, money, notes, and whatever else he needs?

Clean up the kitchen, do the dishes, throw in a load of laundry, shower, lay out my and the boys' clothes.

Feed/water the cat.

Scoop his litter.

Are my lesson plans done for preschool tomorrow?
Is my paperwork caught up for daycare?

That's just the daily stuff.

Then you throw in the "extras".

Making sure Evan is there and picked up from Cross Country meets/practices, his band concerts/parades.

Attending meetings, conferences, and events at Nate's school.

Add in the extra Royal Ranger activities beyond Wednesdays...and we're talkin' pretty busy!

And let's not forget holidays!

There's the added "busy" of decorating, special meals, parties, shopping, gift wrapping, cooking, and baking!

And as if the extras aren't enough...throw in the stress of bad weather...

Oh what a time for joy!

Needless to say...

The whole point of this post...

Was originally to say...

We DO have time for what we WANT to.

When I hear...

"I don't have time to send out Christmas cards."

You know what?
Neither do I...but I did.

When I hear...
"I didn't have time to bake something for the party."

You know what?

Neither did I...but I did it anyway.

When I hear...

"I don't have time..."

"I don't have time..."
"We're so busy..."
"We're so busy..."

YOU KNOW WHAT?

SO AM I.

SO IS EVERYONE.

We're all busy.

And I guess...

It all comes down to what REALLY means something to us.

Even though it means being busy...

I enjoy baking cookies during the holidays with my boys.

I enjoy sending out cards to all my friends and family around the world.

I just enjoy doing for others.

But you know what I do...

I'm learning to set boundaries.

I've told my oldest son...only one sport in the fall and one sport in the spring (and that's a big maybe).

Add with that sport...band, Royal Rangers, and staying on top of homework...

That's plenty.

Same with myself.

I am trying to set boundaries for myself and my entire family to help us maintain peace, serenity, and tranquility in our life.

It probably isn't always the popular choice.

People may not be happy.

But I am now choosing to do what's best for my family.

That might mean setting a time limit on a particular activity or get together.

It might mean limiting how many "things" we do in one week.

And not only am I setting boundaries to maintain peace, serenity, and tranquility...I'm not taking chances anymore.

If the weather is bad...

I'm not taking the risk.

I value my and my family's life too much.

If everyone else wants to chance it...fine.
But I'm not going to.

So...

Next time you give the excuse...
"We're so busy..."

Think about it.

Are you making time for the things that are REALLY important to you?

And if you're not...

Maybe it's time to start.

Maybe it's time to start setting those boundaries.

I know when I set boundaries and tell people how it is...it scares me.

I'm afraid I'll make them mad.

But in the end...

I'm happy.

I have peace.

Life is short...I say it all the time.

Start making...

Peace,

Serenity,

and

Tranquility

a part of your life today.

I call it a blessing!

So I ran in Walgreens today because this week they have a special Buy One, Get One Free on their vitamins.

We like to stock up on vitamin c tablets in the winter time with all the colds and flu going around.

So I thought this was a great deal.

So I grab two and head to the register...now, there was no sign posted on the shelf like there was the other day when I grabbed two.

So...

I asked the cashier, "Are these still buy one get one free?"

"No"...she says..."They're ONE DOLLAR a piece!"...as she scans them!

"Would you like to grab some more?"

"You bet I would"...I tell her!

They are regular $5.99 a bottle...so here I was thinking $3.00 was a bargain...but ONE DOLLAR?!?!

So I grabbed every last one on the shelf!

I bought a total of six bottles for a grand total of $6.00.

This was a savings of $29.94!!!

I have enough for all winter now!

She said, "A woman came in a bought a bottle yesterday and the price surprised me when it rang up, but hey, what the register says is what we sell it for."

I said, "Well, I know this may sound silly, but I consider surprises like this a real blessing!"

She said, "That's exactly what it is! In these hard times, every little penny counts...it's definitely a blessing!"

I know...it may seem silly...but it just made my day.

I got $35.94 worth of vitamins for $6.00!!!

A total surprise and blessing to me!

Pumpkin Muffins

I have had a craving for pumpkin bread or muffins for over two months now. Ever since October rolled around...I've been craving these!
I was planning to just take the easy route, and pick up a box mix...but then Walgreens had Libby's canned pumpkin ridiculously inexpensive...so I got some and decided I'd try the homemade route!
I didn't have anyone's recipe in particular to use...so I found our old work cookbook that we compiled many years ago and searched for one.
Sure enough...I found this one...and IT IS YUMMY!
I was asked to share...so, here it is...

Pumpkin Muffins

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2/3 c. oil

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour muffin pans. Mix dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Combine all together and crack eggs on top of all. Beat until mixed well. Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle with sugar.
Makes 2 dozen.

First snow of the season...

We all knew it was coming!

You started seeing the stakes, markers, and poles a couple weeks ago...and gradually there were more...and more...and more.

There are plastic ones, metal ones, wooden stakes. Some with fluorescent tips, some with reflectors.

Everyone was putting out their markers for the snowplows.

Yes...I think more than ever...people are putting them out this year.

Last year, the county TORE UP our yards!

And living on the corner...we not only have to worry about the county plow...but also the private guy who's hired to plow the school bus depot parking lot. He seems to think he can DUMP all the excess snow into OUR YARD.

NOT!!!

He TORE UP our grass last year.

We've had sprinkler heads broken too.

So...Jamie went out to Home Depot and got some three foot wooden stakes, spray painted them fluorescent orange at the top and pounded them into the corner of our yard.

HOPEFULLY...

He won't tear up our yard with his plow this year.

I know Jamie has half a mind to jump him if he does, LOL!

J/k...

Kinda...

But anywho...

Tonight we got our first snow.

The ground is covered and I'm sure we already have an inch or so.

It IS pretty...and I don't mind it near as much now that I work from home and don't have to drive in it each morning and evening! LOL!

I took the above picture from standing just outside our front door...not the best photo...but a few southern friends wanted to see our first snow. :)

Here's to a winter of completely plowed roads...hint hint Mr. County Guy!

You're only as old as you feel...

You're only as old as you feel...that's what they say...right?

My mind feels incredibly young!

Maybe younger than ever!

I cannot believe it will be TWENTY years in June that I graduated from high school! It can't be!!!

I am SO JEALOUS of my hubby. He has the most perfect skin!!! He's nine years older than me and his skin looks the same as the day I met him! It's flawless! He has rosy cheeks, smiling eyes...he looks so youthful...especially now that he got rid of all that facial hair! He looks as young as the day I met him!

ME?!?!

What happened?
Laugh lines, crows feet, worry lines...bring on the wrinkle cream, where is the line filler?

Thirty seven years old and using wrinkle cream...eeek!

How come we gals have to use all this junk on our face and our hubbies get off so easy?

Sheesh.

Oh...then there's the dark circles under my eyes.

What's up with that?

Could I possibly put any more chemicals and concoctions on my face?

Scrubs, creams, treatments, filler, cover-up, make-up...

Oh my.

I don't want to go back to high school.

I just don't want to look old.

I feel so young still in my mind.

Now my body...that's another story.

I regret the day I ever chuckled at my grandma for saying she knew if was gonna rain because her arthritis was acting up.

IT'S TRUE!!!

The arthritis in my knees acts up so bad when the weather changes...all thanks to "the olive incident"...just ask Evan about that...but that's another story, LOL!

What makes me REALLY feel old is when I see these new "starlets" on tv or in magazines and I see the year they were born...1989?...1990?...are you kidding me?

I AM SO OLD!

And it doesn't help that Evan turned thirteen this year.

I have a teenager?!?!?!

I can't be that old!

Nate keeps me young.

The other day he saw an old picture of me from highschool and said, "Mom, you look SOOOOO much prettier now."

LOL!

Thanks Nate.

Don't know whether to take that as a compliment or what...
LOL!

But...I guess I should just be thankful I'm healthy...and have lots of memories...and a wonderful family...and lots of friends!

We all get old.

It's what we do with our life that counts!

"Mom! I roasted venison and I LOVE it!"

I'm pretty sure, that if I told Evan that I was going to cook and serve venison for dinner...he'd probably turn his nose up at it.

Well...at least I "thought" he probably would.

Until...

Last night.

The boys had Royal Rangers last night and Evan has been working on his Survival Skills merit.

One of the older boys had gone hunting and got a buck and brought the meat in.

They made a giant fire out back in the woods behind the church.

From what Evan told me, they all cooked their own meat on a stick on the open fire.

He said he really liked it.

I asked if he's going to turn into a hunter...which I really doubted with his love for animals.

But he said, "You never know...it was really good!"

The boy surprises me.

None of us are very outdoorsy.

We don't hunt.

We hate camping.

We're pretty much city-slickers.

I love working in the yard in the spring...but that's the extent of my love of the outdoors.

But that Evan...he loves camping, fishing, and who knows...now...maybe he will be a hunter!

More power to ya Ev...we're proud of ya...we love ya!

So far behind this season!

I think the older I get, the worse I get.
It's not that I don't love it as much as I ever did.
I still do.
It's just that I procrastinate.
I get so busy with other things.
Or maybe I just put it off.
I normally have my Christmas cards all addressed, sealed, stamped, and ready to be mailed on Thanksgiving weekend!
This year...here it is December 2 and I just started working on them!
I normally MAIL them out by December 1.
What is happening to me?!?
Eeek!
Shopping?
Forget about it.
Haven't done a thing with that yet.
I used to love braving the crowds.
Now...yuck.
Guess I'm getting old, LOL!
Give me online shopping.
Give me catalogues.
I hate getting out there with the masses.
Ick.
I do have all my gifts for my daycare kids bought.
So I'm not TOTALLY behind.
I also picked up a few stocking stuffers for those who shall remain nameless, LOL!
But the major stuff...
Haven't even started.
I did make a list yesterday of all the food I need to start buying for my baking and cooking for the holidays.
But that's as far as I got.
I'm going to take that list with me each week and try to pick up just a few things at once so it doesn't turn into some major expense.
I think the only thing I DID do on time (according to my time table) was get the tree up.
We always do that on Thanksgiving Day or the day after.
We did manage that.
LOL!
Oh well.
I guess it happens...with age...LOL!
I'm still loving every minute of it...as usual...I'm just not as punctual as I used to be. LOL!